In our social imaginary, love has become the major existential goal of our times, which is capable of providing all of us with a sense of worth and a way of being in the world (Beck & Beck-Gernsheim, 1995). Love has become our ‘ultimate source of meaning and happiness’: it is a ‘gift’ that affirms the beloved and transforms us to a higher state of being (May, 2011).

In our political imaginary, law has become our highest political ideal. Life with the rule of law marks us out as a civilized nation and people. Liberal citizenship is defined by one’s belief in the rule of law. No event, actor or claim escapes the rule of law – there is no field of life in which law has not or cannot enter (Kahn, 2000).

This special issue aims to explore the intersection of the ideal of love in our social imaginary and the rule of law in our political imaginary. Further it aims to reflects on the ways in which law understands and interacts with love, and gives and takes meanings from love, and vice-versa.

Law and Love is a special issue (Volume 34 No 1) of the journal Law in Context.